Article: Kang Ji-hwan convicted of 'sexual assault and harassment', conclusive evidence is his DNA
Source: Joongang Ilbo
Actor Kang Ji-hwan (30) has received final sentence of 2.5 years in prison for quasi-rape charges.
On the 3rd, Supreme Court Justice Park Jeonghwa rejected his appeal and affirmed the prior court's ruling of 2.5 years in prison with three years probation.
Kang initially admitted to the quasi-rape charges during first trial stating that "he had blacked out." However, after his appeal to the Supreme Court, he denied the charges with Kang's lawyer arguing that "no semen [DNA] could be found on victim B's body."
Regarding discovery that his DNA was found on A's sanitary pad, his lawyer speculated that the "DNA seems to have shifted in the process of using Kang's clothes and items after A showered at his house."
The Supreme Court Justice stated, "the fact that A consistently recounted Kang's behavior at the time of the crime, feelings felt by the victim and that he woke up right after he assaulted her, his handling of the crime afterwards supports Kang's initial admission of forced sexual harassment. It's difficult to reject the credibility of their statements just because the victim received a large settlement from Kang after the rape. There is no issue with the original ruling that Kang is partly guilty of quasi-rape."
In the meantime, Kang Ji-hwan was accused of sexually assaulting and forcibly molesting two drunken female staff at his home but katalks and CCTV released appeared to show that victim A showered and wore Kang's clothes afterwards. The victims also appeared to walk around freely around his house.
- [+3,231, -148] So ridiculous. Did they come up with that judgement after looking at the women's katalks??!
- [+2,474, -74] Huh? What the f*** is this ruling? It's not normal at all. Is CCTV not legal data? Is it normal for a woman that has been sexually assaulted to go around a man's house wearing only her panties, opening cash envelope and even bragging about it on katalk? What the heck are these trial results? The DNA on her sanitary pad could've easily been added there later. But Kang Ji-hwan's underwear and toothbrush alone are said to be proof? Did this judge even watch the CCTV? It's almost like they're trying to cover up another case by burying another celebrity.
- [+1,618, -49] The CCTV literally shows someone that was allegedly raped, taking a shower, walking around his house wearing only underwear opening up a money envelope. It's only a matter of time until we all become sex offenders with just one word..
- [+1,447, -41] This is so ridiculous!!! So he forcibly harassed A who was able to run away even after he raped B next to her??????? In what world does this make sense??? So A just stared in amazement while he raped B????? And who the hell can use katalk when they're passed out????
- [+1,150, -165] Ah~ I can tell Kang Ji-hwan is much more innocent and nicer than he looks. He should've denied it from the beginning. Guys, don't be nice to women anymore.
- [+353, -7] It's his lawyer that isn't good enough. They had that CCTV and the katalks and yet the ruling came out like that???!
- [+81, -3] Let me get this straight, two female staff members pass out drunk on their own at his house => Kang Ji-hwan falls asleep and they go around his house wearing only their underwear ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ.
- [+76, -0] No...the most clearest evidence here is not their statements but CCTV...so they judged him guilty just from victims statements?? Does anyone else think this is a money grab? Ah...I feel sorry for Kang Ji-hwanㄷㄷㄷ.
- [+45, -1] Even from another female's point of view this whole thing is just...it's questionable.
- [+30, -1] Ah there's something really off about this...I feel really sorry for Kang Ji-hwan.